Offshore Energy 2012: Applus RTD Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

In 1937, the chance that the marine welding engineer Lambertus van Ouwerkerk would ever believe that he was at the birth of an organization that would become a global market leader was highly unlikely. Nevertheless, thanks to this pioneer the originally Dutch company Röntgen Technische Dienst (RTD) is now celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The company, initially established in a Rotterdam farm has grown to become market leader in the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Inspection. Its activities are primarily focused on the energy sector. Currently Applus RTD employs some 4500 people all over the world and operates out of 35 offices.

To celebrate the 75 years, a special book has been written by highly qualified (old) employees who between them possess a treasure trove of knowledge. This book can be seen from September 2012 on the Applus RTD website.

A new future within the energy sector

In addition to the NDT and Inspection activities, through which Röntgen Technische Dienst made a worldwide name for itself, the company is now focusing upon another sector. Applus RTD (the company’s current name following its takeover by Applus in 2006) has responded to the current turbulent economic climate and has concentrated on the energy sector. This sector promises a solid base for the future – and the next 75 years. The company has positioned itself as a leading energy services provider that is strongly focused on upstream oil and gas, downstream and electricity.

Great opportunities

Applus RTD is a global player in the market, and CEO Iain Light forsees considerable opportunities for the future of the company. “The strength lies in the name, the technical knowledge and the exceptionally committed people that work for us. I see great opportunities ahead”.

Inspection, certification and investigation within the energy sector are the areas in which Applus RTD is primarily focusing. Within this strategy, America, Australia, Brazil and Canada will all be playing leading roles.

Strategic acquisitions

Over the years, Applus RTD became steadily more involved (and still is) in the area of strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions involved amongst others, Compra (Germany), Steeltest and PNDT (Australia), PS&I and CTS (France), Vantage and DCI Meettechniek (The Netherlands), and RMI (Norway). Other important acquisitions have been MB Inspections (UK), JanX, QISI, Valley X and Kiefner & Associates (USA), Technico and Stavely (Canada) and Qualitec (Brazil).

Innovation and expertise

Applus RTD needless to say, does not solely focus on acquisitions, and is constantly active in the fields of innovation and new developments plus the continued assurance top levels of expertise thanks to the employment of highly qualified specialists.

A piece of history

In 1937, the marine engineer Lambertus van Ouwerkerk established Röntgen Technische Dienst. He saw great opportunities for the use of x-rays in the inspection of the welds on ships’ hulls. In this, he was far ahead of his time. He was convinced that Non-Destructive Testing could play a key role in the move towards welding replacing traditional rivetting procedures.

Directly after World War II the first refineries in Rotterdam were build and RTD was hired to investigate the welded pipe joints. This was a great success and allowed the company to expand. The discovery of the gas fields in the northern provinces of the Netherlands gave RTD another huge impulse. Thousands of kilometers of pipelines were laid. In this project the knowledge about NDT that RTD had to offer was of utmost importance in inspecting the pipelines and other parts of the gas distributing network.

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Offshore Energy Today, October 23, 2012